Prayer for the Month: Preach the Gospel

The influence of the mass media is all-pervasive. Television, radio and newspapers throw thousands of images at us day after day. In addition, advertising, music, pop songs, books, magazines, the theatre and cinema also have a profound influence on our lives.

The late Pope John Paul had this to say: 'The world of the media can sometimes seem indifferent and even hostile to Christian morality. This is partly because media culture is so deeply imbued with a typically post-modern sense that the only absolute truth is that there are no absolute truths or that, if there were, they would be inaccessible to human reason and therefore irrelevant. In such a view, what matters is not the truth but "the story"; if something is newsworthy or entertaining, the temptation to set aside consideration of truth becomes almost irresistible. As a result, the world of the media can sometimes seem no more friendly an environment for evangelization than the pagan world of the Apostles' day. But just as early witnesses to the Good News did not retreat when faced with opposition. neither should Christ's followers today. The cry of St. Paul echoes among us still: "Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel (1 Cor.9:16)"'.

Your Daily Prayer
O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of
Mary, I offer you the prayers, works, joys and
sufferings of this day for all the intentions of
your Sacred Heart, in union with the holy
sacrifices of the Mass throughout the world.

I pray with Mary and the whole Church
For the Pope's intentions this month.

"Reflection for the Month" on the Pope's intention is taken from a calendar/booklet called "Living Prayer" published by Messenger of the Sacred Heart. All rights reserved. For more meditations and prayers visit Sacred Space.